Latest reviews

Alison Leith reviewed: Abstract Landscape with Award Winning Artist Catherine MacDiarmid at Cowshed Creative in the Lake District

"Absolutely loved the venue - gorgeous Barn with huge logburner. George made us feel very welcome and provided some excellent lunch and a wide variety of dessert and homemade cakes."

Cowshed Creative responded:

"Thanks for such lovely comments. Hope to see you again."

Clare Crosley reviewed: Beginners Soap Making Course

"I had the most brilliant day, Paula was just excellent, such a lovely lady full of knowledge and was so helpful. The soap making was really fun and enjoyable and I learnt a lot. She went out of her way to cater for me as a vegan and made the most yummy vegan sandwiches and scones, I was very spoilt. I would extremely recommend this course ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️"

Old Bexley Soap & Candle Co. responded:

"Thank you Clare. So happy you enjoyed!"

Tim Garwood reviewed: Blacksmith experience day in Sheffield

"We thoroughly enjoyed our day with David. Excellent 1-1 teaching, simple to follow instructions and a great experience. We are so pleased with the Hooks and Froe that we brought home! Totally recommend!!!"

Richard Cummins reviewed: Whittling course

"A great beginner course that teaches you the health and safety aspects of handling really sharp knives, this is so important plus sharpening your tools. Also wood types and where to sustainably source the materials, you then finish with a few projects that will impress your friends. Add a great homemade lunch, and an excellent day was had by all."

Gillian reviewed: Heritage teddy bear making - residential

"Thank you for a wonderful weekend creating my heritage jointed bear called Wilbur. I have never attempted to make a bear before and was thrilled to see Wilbur taking shape and actually finished. All the bears created had their own individual personalities and were delightful. There was lots of banter and laughs between all the ladies on the course, creating a lovely atmosphere in which to work. Kathy is a kind, helpful, and generous host / instructor, always ready to give help and encouragement. She provided us with lots of drinks, biscuits, cakes and delicious lunches, a real treat. Thank you for a wonderful memorable weekend. Regards Gillian"

Crafty Breaks in the Lakes responded:

"Thank you Gillian for such a heart-felt review. It was, indeed, a pleasure to teach such a lovely group of ladies, and we certainly had a few laughs! I hope your family welcomed Wilbur into their midst and who knows - you may create some siblings for him at some point in the future."

David Tasker reviewed: Weekend introductory blacksmithing course 'B' at Quinnell School of Blacksmithing

"What a great course! The tutor Peter and assistant Eamonn were great at keeping the group working with simple blocks of instructions we could all follow and produce a surprising amount of finished work. I really enjoyed it. If you like hitting things with a hammer - this is the course for you."

clare campbell reviewed: 3D pyrography with colour workshop in Lincolnshire

"I received the course as a birthday gift, I had been practicing pyrography for more than 6 months, so not a beginner but certainly no expert! Susan took this into account and tailored the course to fit my needs. The course was well structured and interesting, building on the skills I had. The course has opened my eyes to the diversity of pyrography, media, 3D and colour. I have more confidence and knowledge to be creative. Would highly recommend the course for those wanting to learn more."

Becky reviewed: Paint night, paint, sip, chat and take home your masterpiece

"A very enjoyable evening with Chrissie - who's great at creating a fun and relaxed environment. Creative and relaxing!"

Kirsty reviewed: Paint night, paint, sip, chat and take home your masterpiece

"Absolutely fantastic, thoroughly enjoyed the evening, like therapy! Calm, relaxing and fun!"

Sarah reviewed: Paint night, paint, sip, chat and take home your masterpiece

"It was a fun workshop and very relaxing, just what i needed for a good night out. I'd definitely come again."

Anne - Sophie reviewed: Paint night, paint, sip, chat and take home your masterpiece

"Great atmosphere, very good explanation with the freedom to decide what to do, i wouldn't change a thing. Thank you very much for the opportunity to try something new."

Attendee reviewed: Paint night, paint, sip, chat and take home your masterpiece

"A therapeutic way to destress and express yourself!"

Attendee reviewed: Paint night, paint, sip, chat and take home your masterpiece

"I am not an arty person but wanted to try something new. It was a fun evening and I managed to produce something that I'm happy to display!"

Attendee reviewed: Paint night, paint, sip, chat and take home your masterpiece

"It is a lovely way to socialise and meet new people and learn new skills! I have been here before and enjoyed it so wanted to come back! 5 stars!"

Attendee reviewed: Paint night, paint, sip, chat and take home your masterpiece

"Fabulous evening! Haven't painted before and I'm actually going to hang this up in my living room!"

David Lilly reviewed: Gem cutting - faceting basics - the step cut square facet

"Another amazing afternoon spent with James. This was a longer workshop (nearly 5 hours) than the previous one I booked but the time flew by. James began by explaining how and why I'd be working on the gemstone (a Citrine), and off we went. We stopped throughout the afternoon to disucsss how things were going and how I had to got to each stage and what was to come, and knocked back mugs of coffee as we went. I left the workshop having facetted an amazing little pale Citrine cut in a square (cant' remember the technical term for it's shape) and a smile across my face. As with the previous workshop I had to leave the gemstone with James so that it could be de-glued from the dop. I returned the next day to collect my gem which was presented a little case and I was absolutley delighted with the result. I would thoroughly recommend this workshop, and whether you do this and the cabochon one or not, they are both superb and worth every penny."

Nikki Davies reviewed: Silver Jewellery making class at Sandra Kerns Jewellery studio, Little Sampford

"I took my mum to this course as her 60th birthday present and we both absolutely loved it! Sandra is an amazing teacher, before we went I was worried that we wouldn't be able to get the hang of jewellery making but both myself and my mum came away with pieces of jewellery to be proud of. Sandra really went out of her way to help you create and is a very knowledgable and talented craftswoman. We were taught a number of different techniques and ways to create what we had in mind. I cannot stress enough how fun this day was! I would love to do it again. It's a perfect birthday present for anyone considering this as a gift."

Sandra Kerns Jewellery responded:

"Thank you for your lovely review. It was an absolute pleasure teaching you both and I look forward to seeing you again in the future. Sandra"

Jane McGregor reviewed: Macrame Pot Hanger Workshop

"What a Lovely way to spend 2 hours, not only learning a new craft but also enjoying the lovely friendly surroundings. I will definitely be back for more. Thank you Alice ?"

Peter reviewed: A Practical Dry Stone Walling Workshop Central London

"The teaching was very relaxed and clear. I felt confident right from the start and felt that I could easily ask questions. The venue was excellent with plenty of space to move around even with a large group. I can now go on to repair and rebuild my wall with skill and confidence. Thank you John. Highly recommended."

London School of Dry Stone Walling responded:

"Hello Peter - Thank you for your feedback. I am pleased you felt at ease during the workshop and you feel good to have a bash on your wall, there was a lot going on. It was interesting watching you 'juggling the stone' which is normal to find the right one to place one over two or two over one ! There is much to learn and you achieved completing a good section of the wall and the difficult 'Cheek End'. We next in France 10-25th Oct. steps and retaining walls - check it out on here or web page. Best Wishes - John"

Giuliano reviewed: A journey to the centre of the hive

"It was really nice! I definitely feel I walked out of the event knowing so much more about bees and their world! The whole event was delivered in a very engaging but professional way, striking that difficult balance between being accurate without overwhelming with information. The honey tasting part was also very interesting (and yummy!); while I was familiar with some of the possible types of honey, I had no idea there were THAT many."

Carol Ann Stent reviewed: Heritage teddy bear making - residential

"I attended the above Vintage Teddy Making course, held this weekend and it was wonderful. I've got a background of sewing having made my own clothes and my daughter's, plus I love doing Textile Taxidermy, Machine Embroidery and hand Embroidery, and I've also made Rag Doll's but never a Teddy Bear. So this Vintage Teddy Making Course intrigued me, and more or less on my doorstep too! as I live in Ravenglass, so to save me from driving each morning of the two-day course I stayed with Kathy and three other's ladies who were also attending the course at the Glenfield House B/B, I have to say Kathy is the most marvellous Hostess and Teacher, the venue is most fitting for such a course with plenty of natural light and space to work in, during the course we had plenty of refreshment break's, with lashing of coffee and biscuit's, lunch was a buffet-style meal accompanied with salads, and late afternoon scones served jam and lashing's of clotted cream, while on the subject of food for those of us who were staying at the Glenfield House enjoyed a wonderful 3 course meal with wine. The course itself was intensive, but all stages of the bear making were well explained, the Teddy kit was beautifully presented and everything needed to complete our vintaged bear's was provided plus the use of the tool's for the joints, Kathy also gave clear instructions and demonstrations along the way helped us if we got in a pickle as sometimes I did, I was able to complete my Vintage Teddy in the given time allotted with the kind help one or two of the younger ladies who stuffed my Teddy's leg's and arm's, and when we had all completed our bear's and named them, we all celebrated by having a Teddy Bear's picnic before we went our separate way's, I have to say I have really enjoyed myself this weekend, and felt that I've made some new friends too and certainly in Kathy I shall be attending more of her courses in the future."

Crafty Breaks in the Lakes responded:

"Hello Carol Thank you for your kind review. I am so glad you enjoyed the weekend. It was certainly a laugh, and I think we all regressed to childhood when we held our Teddies' Picnic!"

Damian Shiell reviewed: Woodturning courses in Norfolk

"Nick and his lovely wife Jane made me feel immediately comfortable and the day was well organised from start to finish. The course was completely bespoke and exceeded my expectations to be honest. Nick is simply an artist through and through and the passion and care he takes with his work is mirrored in the care of his students. We covered health and safety around the workshop & lathe, spindle turning techniques and then moved onto a bowl in the afternoon. The day was not rushed and we even ran over a little due to my poor technique but Nick ensured that I was never made to feel like a conveyor belt with another student through the door. I brought my tools along to the session and he covered all the sharpening techniques and reground my chisels - they now really perform and was good to learn using my tools alongside his ones to get a feel for the different tools available for turning. Technically the course was sound and covered all the basics in detail that I hadn't expected and I left feeling confident to try out what I learned on the day. Nick is a patient and able teacher and I will be booking another day shortly to extend on the topics covered and looking forward to another super day in the workshop (and very tasty lunch!) Excellent value for money and well worth it whatever your level in turning. Many thanks Nick and Jane, you are doing a super job! Damian"

Sally-Ann reviewed: Country House Crafting Retreats in rural Hertfordshire

"Excellent weekend. Took my sewing machine and had fun with everyone. Lots of laughter. I go four times a year and next year slipping another one in. Made fab friends and love that I can do a variety of crafts. Linda the host is fantastic and makes sure everyone is looked after at a fab venue."

Angela Gumbley reviewed: Whittling course

"Had a fantastic day. Have dabbled with whittling a bit in the past, but as a Guide leader, wanted to gain some additional skills to enable Guides to have a go more safely and to give them some further ideas. This course was perfect, teaching us about different knife options, a variety of skills and a good selection of projects to take home - a carefully selected choice of projects giving us the skills to apply to further projects. Martin was really helpful, and a small group of 4 enables us to get the most from his tuition. Course was perfectly pitched for my requirements. Lovely lunch and beautiful location and view across the Cherwell Valley made the day. Thank you Martin, can’t wait to get my knife out."

David Moxey reviewed: One Day Pottery Throwing Course, including lunch - Hampshire

"Loved the course, Jack was an exemplary host and teacher. He took his time to explain what we would be doing and gently guide us during the execution. Would absolutely recommend this course. Thank you Jack"